| Convict Ship Newspaper, The Wild Goose, Re-discovered page 6 The chaplain, Fr. Bernard Delaney, who was going out to undertake missionary work in Australia, wrote four contributions to the journal, two of them of a spiritual nature. He used the pseudonyms, “Beta” and “Delta.” In a valedictory message, written in the final issue, he says: “Entering our new homes in Australia, one of the earliest admonitions of our consciences will be to beware of the abuse of God’s graces and blessings, in which are comprehended all those copious means afforded us by God of attaining to sanctity and perfection . . .” In an earlier article of his, entitled “Past—Present—Future,” there occurs this passage: “From our little island home at different periods have the ‘Wild Geese’ winged their flight—some into voluntary exile, others driven over the wide world by the unsparing hand. They, too, looked forward into the future and tried in vain to read the mysterious pages—but what was their future is now our past; and we can look back and trace their checquered wanderings, learning wisdom and gaining strength as we look on their trials, their struggles and their end. Their dearest affections were rudely snapped asunder; their home ties were severed, and they wandered over the world, fighting the battles and aiding in the councils of strangers; but one grand memorial shines out from their various ways to cheer us on and stir us to emulation: wherever they went or in whatever duty engaged, they nobly upheld the unstained name, honor and bravery of their race. Scattered far and wide are the graves of the “Wild Geese.” They lie wherever fields were fiercely fought, and the halo of light which memory and love shed over their graves will be a beacon guiding us on through whatever scenes the future may have in store for us.” It is not difficult to imagine the inspiration which the reading of passages like that afforded to the prisoners. (Many of them were later to pay tribute to Fr. Delaney for his never-failing kindness to the Fenians and for his sincere friendliness, free from all condescension.). In issue No. 5 a page and a half are devoted to a description of the adoption of Lord Edward Fitzgerald as Chief Eghindal of the Bear Tribe of the Six Nations at Detroit, culled from Anecdotes of Enterprise and Adventure by Ralph and Chandos Temple. In the entire 64 pages there is only one article dealing with an incident concerning Fenianism or the events which preceded the men’s transportation. This is by Joseph Noonan (sentenced in Tralee for his part in the Kerry rising) and is entitled “A Leap For Liberty.” He describes how, after evading capture for a fortnight in the mountainy country west of Killarney, where 2,000 troops were engaged rounding up the Fenians, he successfully made his way to London, only to be arrested there on the information of detectives who had traced him. He was sent back to Ireland in armed custody, and while travelling on the train across England to the port of embarkation he induced his guards to unlock his handcuffs. Taking them by surprise he suddenly leaped across the carriage, jerked down the window and jumped out into the night, although the train was travelling at a fast speed. He was knocked unconscious for a short time, but soon came to. He concludes: “I was free again, but I am sorry to say it did not last long for, in four days after, I was in the same train under a stronger escort on my way to the old country to stand my trial for treason-felony of which I was found guilty and am now on board the Hougoumont bound for Western Australia.” We conclude this review of The Wild Goose by quoting the closing part of the farewell message of John Flood, published on pages 1 and 2 of the final issue (December 21): “. . . Christmas comes to greet you with a new face—not the old familiar one of bygone and happier years but Christmas still, bringing with it sacred memories of home and friends. Your only consolation, to know that they miss you at home; your only hope, that your next and each successive one will be still brighter. You need no Christmas story—each of you has one in his own heart; and He Who gave you Christmas time will cause the holy influence of the day to fall as sweetly on you here, on the desolate ocean, as under happier skies and auspices. You will find the bond of sympathy that binds you all together can give you a pleasure second only to the ties of home. I bear you the prayers of those that are dearest, for your happiness and welfare, mingled with a hope that the time may soon come when they can again wish you ‘A merry Christmas and a happy New Year.’ Hearts are beating for you from which time and space cannot separate you. Prove worthy of their interest in you, and for the rest—Courage, and trust in God. Adieu.” NOTES 1. “Grim Voyage of the Hougoumont.” Pp. 11 and 38, Cork Holly Bough (Cork Examiner publications, Christmas 1967.) 2. Mr. Fitzgerald spent the summer of 1968 in Irleand, during which he continued his researches into the lives of the Fenians sent to Australia. 3. For a full account of the life of the Cork City Fenian, John Lynch, see Cork Holly Bough, Christmas 1964. 4. J. J. Roche, Life, Poems and Speeches of John Boyle O’Reilly, page 68. 5. Quoted in The Irishman, April 4, 1868. 6. The Life of Michael Davitt by D.B. Cashman to which is added The Secret History of the Land League by Michael Davitt, Glasgow n.d. © 2002, 2005 Walter McGrath |
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